Transcript HISTORY OF THE BRETHREN MOVEMENT

HISTORY OF THE BRETHREN
MOVEMENT
Origin, Beliefs, Development and Today
THE HISTORICAL BACKGROUND #
1
Brethren are not the first group of believers who have sought to
follow the Scriptures as their guide in every area of life including
church life.
“The Pilgrim Church” by E.H. Broadbent. “The author of this book,
believing that the teaching given by the Apostles to the first
Christians contained principles of permanent validity, gave himself
to many years of exhaustive research in the realm of Church
history, convinced that thre has never been a generation without
simple local congregations of believers existing who succeeded in
maintaining these principles….Known by different names in
various countries, these communities kept the faith, frequently at
great cost to themselves.” (Comment on Back Cover)
Conditions in the Early 1800’s
• . During the Medieval Period the Roman Catholic Church ruled in Europe.
• . During the Reformation (1525) the Church of England (through the
Reformers) came out of the RC Church. The Puritan’s, the Quakers, and
the Methodist’s were formed by people who were C of E members.
• . By the early 1800’s the Church of England was in a sad spiritual condition.
The clergy was accused of being corrupt and negligent in their duties, only
interested in money, their sermons were lifeless and boring !!
• . There were many “dissenting churches” because they “dissented” from the
Church of England. These included Methodist’s, Baptist’s,
Congregationalist’s, the Quakers and the Presbyterians.
• . It wasn’t’ easy for these churches because the C of E was the State
Church. Marriage licenses were issued through the state church system.
Even funerals, political activities and education was run by the Church of
England. Added to all this “sectarianism” permeated all these churches so
unity was rare.
The Beginning
• The brethren movement began in
Dublin, Ireland.
Early Brethren
Early Brethren
THE MOVEMENT SPREADS
• Establishment of assemblies
moved out of Dublin to other
parts of Ireland, Scotland and
England.
THE PRINCIPLES
• 1. The Centrality of the Lord’s Supper.
• 2. Unity – Emphasis on the Oneness of
the Body.
• 3. The Authority of the Scriptures.
• 4. Church Principles.
• 5. Devotion to Christ.
The Principles - Continued
• 6. The Priesthood of all Believers.
• 7. Freedom to exercise Spiritual Gifts.
• 8. Dependence upon God for Financial
Needs.
• 9. The Expectation of the Return of
Christ.
• 10. The Importance of the Gospel.
Looking Back
• Despite all of the shortcomings of
this movement there is no doubt
it was raised up by God and has
been greatly used by Him. So we
should give thanks.